What should have been a carefree summer’s afternoon for Thomas Kay and his young family turned into a traumatic and life-changing experience.
In August 2021, Thomas and his wife Becky were getting ready to head out for a family walk in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, with their 18-month-old daughter Rosie. They were parked up and strapping Rosie into her backpack carrier when, without warning, a car veered off the road. It collided with their parked vehicle, which was then shunted directly into them.
“It all happened so fast, and a normal family outing ended with us suffering life changing injuries and needing urgent treatment,” Thomas recalls. “Thanks to the incredible care from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and the emergency services, we were able to begin the long road to recovery, something we’re forever grateful for.”
Two air ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Becky had suffered two broken vertebrae and was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for emergency spinal surgery. Thomas, who had already left by land ambulance, had ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee and sustained multiple deep cuts to his hand requiring plastic surgery. Rosie, who had fractured her leg, was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital by ambulance.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions at the time, Thomas and Becky were separated from their daughter throughout their hospital stays – a heart-breaking experience made more bearable thanks to the help of their parents, who stepped in as carers for Rosie and supported the couple through their recovery.
While Thomas’s injuries eventually healed, Becky still lives with ongoing pain and limitations. She is no longer able to take part in high-impact activities like netball and has to be careful about lifting. Despite these challenges, the family’s strength has shone through. In March 2023, they welcomed their second child, Sam, and are now enjoying life as a family of four.
This year, Thomas decided it was time to give back.
“I’d always said we would fundraise for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity after what happened,” says Thomas. “I was fortunate enough to get a ballot place in the London Marathon and knew this was the perfect opportunity.”
Despite a demanding training schedule – juggling work, school runs, bedtime routines, and recovering from a lingering chest infection – Thomas stayed committed. “It’s been tough, but there’s no turning back once you’ve booked the trains and accommodation!”
His message to supporters is:
“Whatever you can give is amazing, not just for me, but for everyone who might need emergency care like Becky did. You hope you’ll never need it – but trust me, you’ll be forever thankful if you do.”
